French Size Up Rice

Spiegel International ^ | 2/09/05 | Jody K. Biehl

[TexKat]

Condi and French Prez Jacques Chirac spent a mere hour in discussions during her whirlwind trip through Europe. Still, the trans-Atlantic ice may be melting.

[TexKat]

French Size Up Rice ping

[nikos1121]

Why is it that we're shoring up to them. They should be equally shoring up to us.

nikos

[theDentist]

Moments after photogs left the room, Sec. of State Rice stepped across the room and slapped Chirac several time, kicked his whining fetal-positioned ass, poured the bottle of Chardonnay upon him (denouncing it as a horse's stream), and stole his lunch money.

[TexKat]

Condi's Paris Debut

SPIEGEL'S DAILY TAKE

[anniegetyourgun]

And if they won't play.....back to plan A - forget France.

[Richard Kimball]

He's not in her league, and that applies on several levels.

[Glenn]

the result of finding herself in the city that was the capital of the rebellion against Washington

Do they really believe that?

[MEG33]

"Using the goal of democracy to influence the politics, economics or culture of other nations is, it insists, unacceptable and decidedly un-French."

Oh Please!

[PAR35]

"Forget France, ignore Germany, forgive Moscow."

That isn't how I recall the statement.

"Punish France, ignore Germany and forgive Russia," Rice was widely quoted as telling associates in the spring of 2003. http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=256299

Looks like the Germans had trouble translating.

[sam_paine]

That's what I thought she said too. Der Spiegel schmiegel.

[KarlInOhio]

"France rejects the idea that the American model of democracy needs to be imposed throughout the world, even through non-military means," the paper says. Using the goal of democracy to influence the politics, economics or culture of other nations is, it insists, unacceptable and decidedly un-French.

Strange, they weren't crying about using the goal of democracy to influence the politics of other nations in 1917 or 1944.

[Grateful One]

Rice sizes up the French.

[bahblahbah]

"Using the goal of democracy to influence the politics, economics or culture of other nations is, it insists, unacceptable and decidedly un-French."

We'll take that as a compliment.

[BullDog108]

Her words were carefully tracked by French commentators, who regularly remind their readers of Condi's infamously undiplomatic 2003 response to France, Germany and Russia's refusal to support the war in Iraq. At the time, she said simply, "Forget France, ignore Germany, forgive Moscow."

I like my tagline better.....

[cynicom]

Lot of difference between Rice and that old hag Halfwit that use to parade around.

[MarineBrat]

>>>"un-French"

Is it just me or does that word make everyone snicker?

[Imaverygooddriver]

"I cannot speak to theeese blek womeeen. She does not have le policy of eeemediate surrender!"

[JFK_Lib]

Eh, you cant despise the French forever - doesnt it get boring?

But what motivates this administration to spend diplomatic capital on the useless, pointless, powerless French?

A psychological need to be universally loved?

Screw the French, for all I care.

[Red6]

:)

Think about this. All concessions so far have been by them. Especially for Germany which is slowly shifting its position.

What other than reach an olive branch did she do?

It's in our own advantage that we get along. OMG, I truly hate this statement "Can't we all get along?"

Leaders need to preserve face. You can't just take their nose and rub it in poop and expect for things to get better even if you’re right but act like that. It's good to leave the door open here and not create divides based on big egos. Give them the opportunity to join the team. That also means creating a political environment where this is possible.

Red6